A 3D printer, also known as a three-dimensional printer (3DP), is a type of additive manufacturing technology, or rapid prototyping technology. It uses a digital model file as a basis and employs special waxes, powdered metals, or plastics-materials that can be bonded-to create three-dimensional objects by printing layer by layer. Currently, 3D printers are used to manufacture products. It's a technology that constructs objects by printing layer by layer. The principle of a 3D printer is that data and raw materials are put into the printer, and the machine builds the product layer by layer according to the program.
The biggest difference between a 3D printer and a traditional printer is that it uses actual raw materials as "ink." The stacking of thin layers can take many forms, and a wide variety of media can be used for printing, from numerous plastics to metals, ceramics, and rubber-like materials. Some printers can even combine different media, making the printed object hard at one end and soft at the other.
1. Some 3D printers use an "inkjet" method. This involves spraying an extremely thin layer of liquid plastic material onto a mold tray using the printer nozzle. This coating is then treated under ultraviolet light. 1. The molding tray then descends a very small distance to allow the next layer to be stacked on top.
2. Some systems use a technique called "fused deposition modeling," where the plastic is melted inside the printhead and then deposited as plastic fibers to form a thin layer.
3. Other systems use a technique called "laser sintering," using powder particles as the printing medium. The powder particles are sprayed onto the molding tray to form an extremely thin powder layer, fused into the desired shape, and then cured by an ejected liquid binder.
4. Some systems utilize an electron beam in a vacuum to melt the powder particles. When encountering complex structures containing pores and cantilevered structures, a gelling agent or other substances need to be added to the medium to provide support or occupy space. This portion of the powder is not fused; the support is simply washed away with water or airflow to create the pores.
